Penstemon plant named ‘Red Headed Beauty’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Penstemon  hybrid named ‘Red Headed Beauty’ is characterized by: large, vivid purplish red to deep purplish red flowers with a slight scent appearing upon verticillate, subsecund thyrses with nodding tips; glabrous, glaucous, leathery, entire to obscurely toothed lance ovate leaves; large, windfirm plants with numerous flowering stalks. The plants have excellent vigor and longevity.

Latin name: Penstemon (palmeri×parryi)×superbus.

Varietal denomination: ‘Red Headed Beauty’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Penstemon is a large genus of the expanded plant family Plantaginaceae(formerly Scrophulariaceae) native to most of North America south toGuatemala. Many species, varieties and cultivars have been named anddescribed. Penstemons are grown as flowering ornamentals.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPenstemon hybrid named ‘Red Headed Beauty’. The cultivar originated inan open pollinated group of seedling offspring from a natural hybridbetween Penstemon palmeri and P. parryi growing in a cultivated areanear Tucson, Ariz. The new plant was selected by Russ Buhrow, a citizenof the United States of America residing in Tucson, Ariz., from theseedlings of a Penstemon interspecies hybrid. This hybrid is believed tohave been crossed as an F1 hybrid with pollen of Penstemon superbus,resulting in several plants believed to be (Penstemonpalmeri×parryi)×superbus. To the inventor's knowledge, this is the firstreport of the occurrence of this hybrid. One of the offspring proved tobe particularly vigorous and had exceptional color and is the object ofthis application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the features that distinguish the new Penstemon cultivar from allother available and commercial varieties of Penstemon known to theinventor are the following combination of characteristics: large, vividpurplish red to deep purplish red flowers with a slight scent appearingon verticillate, subsecund thyrses with nodding tips; glabrous,glaucous, leathery, entire to obscurely toothed lance ovate caulineleaves; large wind firm plants with numerous flowering stalks (5 to 30on two year old plants). The plants exhibit excellent vigor andlongevity.

‘Red Headed Beauty’ will be used as a perennial flowering ornamental,accent plant, for mass plantings and possibly, due to the long flowerspikes, as a cut flower.

‘Red Headed Beauty’ is being propagated by a custom propagator. Thepropagation procedure is as follows:

Cuttings are prepared from the flowering stalks containing one or twonodes. The two node cuttings root faster and more reliably. Cuts arepretreated by wetting in Dip & Grow™ at a dilution of 1:10. The leavesof the lower node are removed from two node cuttings and cuttings areplanted with the upper leaves above the media (Jiffy Performa™).Cuttings in liner flats are placed into a mist greenhouse without bottomheat with max/min temperatures of 90/65 F. Rooting is complete within 3weeks.

The foregoing characteristics and distinctions come true to form and areestablished and transmitted throughout succeeding propagations. Thepresent invention has not been evaluated under all possibleenvironmental conditions, such that the phenotype may vary withvariations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate specimens of the new cultivardisplaying materials from the original selection of ‘Red Headed Beauty’as well as propagated specimens growing near Tucson, Ariz. andSahuarita, Ariz. depicted in color as nearly correct as it is possibleto make in a color illustration of the character.

FIG. 1 shows a propagated specimen of ‘Red Headed Beauty’ growingvegetatively at Sahuarita, Ariz., taken Mar. 3, 2010.

FIG. 2 shows a propagated stock plant specimen of ‘Red Headed Beauty’ inearly flowering growth exhibiting temporary bronzing of the fast growingportions of the plant growing near Tucson, Ariz.

FIG. 3 shows the plant illustrated in FIG. 1 in early bloom, photo takenApr. 1, 2010.

FIG. 4 shows the plant shown in FIG. 1 in full bloom, photo taken Apr.14, 2010. Note the curved inflorescence tips distinctive to thisvariety.

FIG. 5 shows thirteen propagated ‘Red Headed Beauty’ plants growing infive gallon pots (lower right) at Sahuarita, Ariz. under like conditionsof low fertility and water, demonstrating that the plants are true toform and uniform. Photo was taken Apr. 14, 2010.

FIG. 6 shows the largest cauline leaves of the original ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ plant growing in a cultivated area near Tucson, Ariz., phototaken Apr. 7, 2010.

FIG. 7 illustrates developing flower buds and floral bracts of ‘RedHeaded Beauty’ from the upper middle portion of an inflorescence from athe original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., taken Apr. 14, 2010.

FIG. 8 is a macrophotograph of the terminal portion of an inflorescenceof the ‘Red Headed Beauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz.showing developing bracts and flower buds, taken May 2, 2010.

FIG. 9 is a macrophotograph of a bud cluster of the original ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ plant growing near Tucson, Ariz. illustrating calyx details andshowing the hyaline calyx lobe margins typical of this variety, takenMay 2, 2010.

FIG. 10 is a closeup of a flower cluster of the original ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ plant growing near Tucson, Ariz. Photo was taken Apr. 16, 2010.

FIG. 11 is the same photograph as FIG. 10, but highlightingcharacteristics typical and unique to ‘Red Headed Beauty’.

FIG. 12 is a macrophotograph of the structures of the throat/tube of aflower, seen in face view, of ‘Red Headed Beauty’ growing near Tucson,Ariz. Photo was taken May 2, 2010.

FIG. 13 is a macrophotograph of the inside tube of a dissected flower of‘Red Headed Beauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., showinginternal guidelines. Photograph was taken Apr. 21, 2010.

FIG. 14 is a macrophotograph of a dissected flower of ‘Red HeadedBeauty’, illustrating internal structures and colors. Photo was takenApr. 21, 2010.

FIG. 15 is a macrophotograph of a dissected flower of ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., illustrating typicalappearance and colors of undehisced stamens with anther lines describedelsewhere in the application.

FIG. 16 is a macrophotograph of a dissected flower of ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., illustrating theadaxial side of a dehisced stamen, structures and colors. Photo wastaken Apr. 30, 2010.

FIG. 17 is a macrophotograph of a dissected flower of ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., illustrating theabaxial side of a staminode. Note the expanded, abaxially rolled tip andbrush hairs. Photo was taken Apr. 17, 2010.

FIG. 18 is a macrophotograph of a dissected flower of ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., illustrating thebasal portion of the staminode, glandular hairs and attachment to thefloral tube. Photo was taken Apr. 22, 2010.

FIG. 19 is a macrophotograph of a dissected flower of ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., illustrating the tipof a staminode, showing the mix of colored brush hairs present. Photowas taken Apr. 21, 2010.

FIG. 20 is a macrophotograph of a dissected flower of ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., illustrating theupper calyx and visible structures and colors of the pistil. Photo wastaken Apr. 30, 2010.

FIG. 21 is a macrophotograph of a dissected flower of ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz., illustrating thestructures and colors of the abaxial side of dehisced stamens. Photo wastaken Apr. 21, 2010.

FIG. 22 is a macrophotograph of mature fruits of ‘Red Headed Beauty’original plant growing near Tucson, Ariz. Photo was taken Jun. 10, 2010.

FIG. 23 is a photomicrograph of seeds of ‘Red Headed Beauty’illustrating size, form and structures.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new Penstemon hybridplant based upon measurements of two, three and five year old plantsgrowing near Tucson, Ariz. The color descriptions are all based upon theMunsell Book of Color, Glossy Edition. Color names are as listed inCOLOR Universal Language and Dictionary of Names, by Kenneth L. Kellyand Deane B. Judd; National Bureau of Standards special publication 440.Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau ofStandards, December 1976.

-   Plant name: ‘Red Headed Beauty’.-   Species or hybrid: Penstemon (palmeri×parryi)×superbus.-   Original source plants: P. palmeri: cultivated plantings, P. parryi:    cultivated plantings, P. superbus: cultivated plantings.-   Original collection data (if known): P. superbus plantings were    grown from seeds collected in a canyon habitat north of Hayden,    Ariz. along AZ highway 77.-   Mature plant size: Height 2-5 ft., width 2-5 ft., stems: upright to    ascending. At age 5, the original pre-blooming plant is a    suffrutescent mound 1 foot tall and 3 feet wide.-   Stem color: Moderate yellow green, 7.5GY7/6, stem pubescence: none,    stem surface: glaucous.-   Stem diameter: 5-12 mm, stem length: 2-5 ft., flowering portion    length: ⅓ to ⅗ of stem length.-   Cauline leaf details:    -   -   Cauline (stem) leaves.—Type; simple.        -   Cauline leaf venation.—Pinnate, leaf arrangement: opposite.        -   Cauline leaf margin.—Entire with scattered obscure teeth,            texture: leathery.        -   Largest cauline leaf length.—9-11 cm, width: 4-5 cm, leaf            shape: lance ovate.        -   Cauline leaf attachment.—Clasping, sub-connate.        -   Adaxial cauline leaf color.—Moderate yellow green, 7.5GY5/5,            leaf pubescence: none.        -   Abaxial cauline leaf color.—Moderate yellow green, 7.5GY5/5,            leaf pubescence: none.        -   Cauline leaf surface.—Glaucous, notes: Thick leaves typical            of Section Peltanthera. Leaf margins entire to obscurely            toothed. Leaves tend to curve laterally abaxially.        -   Cauline leaf note.—During rapid growth of the flowering            stalk, the new growth (leaves and stem tips) will            temporarily exhibit bronzing.-   Basal leaf details:    -   -   Basal leaves.—Length: 4.2-16 cm, width: 1.4-4.5 cm, basal            leaf shape: oblanceolate, petiolate.        -   Adaxial basal leaf color.—Moderate yellow green, 7.5GY5/5,            basal leaf pubescence: none.        -   Abaxial basal leaf color.—Moderate yellow green, 7.5GY5/5,            basal leaf pubescence: none.        -   Basal leaf surface.—Glaucous, notes: Thick leaves typical of            Penstemon Section Peltanthera, margins entire to obscurely            toothed.        -   Basal leaf note.—During rapid growth, basal leaves will            temporarily exhibit bronzing.-   Bloom period: Late March through May in the Tucson, Ariz. area.-   Inflorescence details:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Type: interrupted/verticillate subsecund            thyrse with nodding (hooked) tips.        -   Inflorescence height.—2-5 ft., width of flower clusters: 5-7            cm.        -   Flowers/verticillaster.—4-18, verticillasters/inflorescence:            7-28.        -   Flower number/inflorescence.—49-280.        -   Number of inflorescences/plant.—1-30, depending upon age and            growth conditions.        -   Inflorescence note.—Inflorescence is reminiscent of P.            superbus in form, but with much larger flowers of a            different color.        -   Primary bracts.—Shape: acuminate, length: 5-30 mm, width:            2-28 mm, color: moderate yellow green, 7.5GY5/5. Note: few            to no glandular hairs, similar to cauline leaves except for            shape and size.        -   Primary pedicels.—Length: 10-14 mm, width: 1 mm, color:            varies from dark purplish red, 10RP3/6 to moderate yellow            green, 7.5GY7/6. Note: few glandular hairs present, mostly            concentrated near the calyx base.        -   Secondary pedicels.—Length: 5-10 mm, width: 1 mm, color:            varies from dark purplish red, 10RP3/6 to moderate yellow            green, 7.5GY7/6. Note: glandular hairs as in primary            pedicels.-   Flower details:    -   -   Flowers.—Length: 18-22 mm, throat diameter: 8-10 mm, face            diameter: 22-28 mm.        -   Corolla shape.—Ventricose/ampliate.        -   Corolla face shape.—Bilabiate, nearly rotate, upper lip            reflexed, lower lip somewhat extended, corolla lobes            rounded.        -   Floral aroma.—Slight, smells faintly like P. palmeri.        -   Floral glandular hairs.—Outside tube: dense, face: medium,            inside tube: medium-scattered, calyx: medium, pedicel: few,            mostly near the calyx base.        -   Corolla details.—Exterior tube color: deep purplish red,            10RP3/10, face color: vivid purplish red, 7.5RP3/16 fading            to deep purplish red, 7.5RP3/12.        -   Interior of corolla tube color.—Moderate purplish red,            5RP4/10.        -   Guidelines.—Obscure; color and type: very dark red, 2.5R1/6.            Centered on each petal, lines extend from about midway into            the petals to nearly the interior base of the corolla.            Fainter, shorter parallel lines lie between the primaries            within the corolla tube. Additional, parallel lighter lines            may be seen near the interior tube base.        -   Staminode.—Included; staminode shape: sigmoid.        -   Staminode length (straight measurement, not uncoiled, from            tube attachment point).—13.5 mm.        -   Staminode filament diameter.—0.5-0.75 mm.        -   Staminode tip.—Dialated, abaxially rolled, and adaxially            bearded.        -   Staminode beard/brush.—One sided adaxially on upper ⅗ of            staminode.        -   Staminode brush details.—3 types: basal ⅓ of beard hairs 0.7            mm long, distal ⅔ of beard hairs 1.5 mm long.        -   Staminode brush hair color(s).—Basal ⅓: strong yellow,            2.5Y7/10, middle ⅓: moderate yellow, 5Y7/6, distal ⅓: mixed            hair colors as follows: ¼ of hairs deep purplish red,            10RP3/10, ¾ of hairs dark orange yellow, 7YR6/8.        -   Staminode filament.—Abaxial surface more deeply colored.            Color intensity appears to vary with growth conditions.        -   Staminode filament color(s).—Abaxial side: distal ⅗: deep            purplish red, 5RP3/12 or lighter, depending upon growth            conditions, basal ⅖: light yellow green, 2.5GY9/6; adaxial            side: basal ⅓: light yellow green, 2.5GY9/6, middle below            brush: pale pink, 2.5R9/2.        -   Staminode notes.—Staminode is sigmoid with the tip recurved            abaxially 180 degrees. Glandular hairs are present basally            especially on the adaxial side.        -   Stamens.—4 fertile, type: peltate-explanate, filament length            (straight measurement, not uncoiled).        -   Distal stamens.—14 mm; basal stamens: 12 mm, filament            diameter (both types): 0.5 mm.-   Anther details:    -   -   Undehisced anther; size (length×width×thickness).—Distal            stamens: 3×2.5×1.1 mm, basal stamens: 3×2.3×1.1 mm.        -   Undehisced anther colors and description.—Exterior side            (filament attachment side): variable in color, very pale            purple, 7.5P9/4 or whiter. Two parallel lines lie on either            side of the dehiscence line, color: vivid purple, 7.5P5/14.            Interior side color is similar to exterior side.        -   Dehisced anther; size (length×width).—2.5×1 mm.        -   Dehisced anther exterior color and description.—Margin: very            dark purple, 7.5P1/6 grading to between light and moderate            orange yellow, 10YR8/8 at the anther attachment point.-   Pollen color: Pale greenish yellow, 7.5Y9/4.-   Stamen filament details: 3 color zones as listed below, clear    secretions from glandular hairs are present at the basal color    transition zone and sometimes just below it.    -   -   Stamen filament color(s).—Basal ¼: pale greenish yellow,            10Y9/4; middle ½: strong purplish red, 6RP4/12; distal ¼:            whiter than light pink, 2.5R9/4.-   Pistil length: 20-23 mm.-   Style:    -   -   Size (length×diameter).—14×0.25-0.33 mm.        -   Shape.—Curved abaxially.        -   Style color(s).—Near tip: light reddish purple, 2.5RP6/8 or            whiter, near base: deep reddish purple, 2.5RP3/12 or whiter.        -   Style notes.—Style curves abaxially near the tip, more as            the flower ages. There is considerable variation in style            color from flower to flower.-   Calyx details:    -   -   Length.—6-9 mm.        -   Width.—4-5 mm.        -   Calyx lobes.—Ovate, margins of calyx lobes hyaline.        -   Calyx color.—Varies from deep brown, 2.5YR2/7 to deep yellow            green, 4GY4/8 depending upon growing conditions.-   Plant fertility: High (near normal). Notes: Plants are self and    probably cross fertile, at least with closely related species.-   Fruit:    -   -   Type.—2 celled septicidal/loculocidal capsule dehiscing on 4            lines.        -   Fruit shape.—Ovoid/attenuate, ellipsoidal in cross section.        -   Fruit size (length×width×thickness).—L: 11-14 mm, W: 6-8 mm,            T: 5.5-7 mm.        -   Fruit color.—Light yellow green, 4GY8/5 near maturity;            moderate brown, 7.5YR3/5 when ripe and dry.-   Seeds/fruit: 30-50. Note: Thickness is the measurement at the widest    point of the fruit perpendicular to the septum.-   Seeds:    -   -   Size.—1 mm long.        -   Color.—Reddish black, 10R1/1.        -   Viability.—High.        -   Shape.—Variable and irregular, angular, rugose, evenly            marked with lighter colored pits visible under 20×            magnification.

COMPARISONS TO RELATED PENSTEMON

Compared to its three parents (Penstemon palmeri, P. parryi and P.superbus) ‘Red Headed Beauty’ displays greater vigor, overall size,bloom period and flower size. Of its parents, only Penstemon superbushas comparable longevity to ‘Red Headed Beauty’.

Penstemon hybrid ‘Red Headed Beauty’ may be distinguished from itsparents as follows:

Penstemon superbus and Penstemon parryi both have entire leaf margins,while Penstemon hybrid ‘Red Headed Beauty’ has scattered obscure teethon some of its leaves. Penstemon palmeri may be contrasted by itssharply toothed leaf margins.

Penstemon parryi and Penstemon palmeri are generally short lived underTucson conditions, with a lifespan of 1-3 years. Penstemon superbus islonger lived, with some plants lasting for up to 10 years. Penstemonhybrid ‘Red Headed Beauty’ shows no signs of declining vigor at age 5,and appears to be potentially quite long lived.

Penstemon parryi has a corolla diameter of 13-17 mm, tube opening of 5-8mm and tube length of 15-18 mm. Flowers vary in color from an occasionalwhite (lighter than 2.5GY9/6) or deep yellowish pink (5R6/12) to strongpurplish red (10RP9/6). The tube of the flowers is generally darker withguidelines extending into the petals. The face of the corolla ofPenstemon parryi is covered with glandular hairs at a moderate density.The flowers are somewhat bilabiate. The inflorescence is paniculate.

Penstemon superbus has a corolla diameter of 15-19 mm, tube opening of4-6 mm and tube length of 15-20 mm. Flowers vary in color from strongred (2.5R4/12) to vivid red (7.5R4/20). The tube of the flowers isgenerally similar in color to or lighter than the corolla with obscureguidelines. The face of the corolla is densely covered with glandularhairs. The flowers are nearly rotate. The inflorescence is verticillate.

Penstemon palmeri has a corolla diameter of 20-25 mm, tube opening of15-20 mm and a tube length of 25-30 mm. Flowers vary from light purplishpink (10P9/6) to nearly pure white. The tube of the flowers is generallylighter than the corolla, with guidelines extending into the lower 3petals only. The face of the corolla lacks glandular hairs. The tube isgreatly inflated and flowers are strongly bilabiate. The flowers producea strong, sweet fragrance. The inflorescence is interrupted, butappearing continuous and subsecund.

Penstemon hybrid ‘Red Headed Beauty’ has a corolla diameter of 22-28 mm,a tube opening of 8-10 mm and a tube length of 18-22 mm. Flowers vary incolor from vivid purplish red (7.5RP3/16) to deep purplish red(7.5RP3/12). The face of the corolla is covered with glandular hairs ata medium density. The tube is ventricose ampliate. The corolla isbilabiate, nearly rotate, with the upper lip reflexed and the lower lipsomewhat extended. The corolla tube is slightly lighter than thecorolla, with obscure guidelines. The flowers have a slight fragrance,but similar to that of Penstemon palmeri. The inflorescence is aninterrupted/verticillate subsecund thyrse.

Penstemon hybrid ‘Red Headed Beauty’ is partially related to thePenstemon ‘Mexicali’ group of hybrids, sharing Penstemon palmeri andPenstemon parryi as parents, but differing in that Penstemon hybrid ‘RedHeaded Beauty’ has Penstemon superbus as a pollen parent, while the‘Mexicali’ hybrids have a Penstemon hybrid of the Penstemon sectionFasciculatus as one of their parents. The plants of Penstemon hybrid‘Red Headed Beauty’ may be distinguished from the ‘Mexicali’ hybrids bythe leaves, which in the case of ‘Red Headed Beauty’ are leathery andmoderate yellow green (7.5GY5/5) colored, while the ‘Mexicali’ hybridsare not leathery, have adaxial leaf surfaces colored strong olive green(5GY3/8) to dark olive green (7.5GY2/4). ‘Mexicali’ hybrids aresprawling and bushy with lance/linear, serrate leaves, while ‘Red HeadedBeauty’ grows basally with long up reaching flower stalks and haslarger, lance ovate cauline leaves that are mostly entire withscattered, obscure teeth.

1. A new and distinct Penstemon hybrid plant substantially as describedand illustrated herein.